Adventures with Mimi

Mimi celebrated her 62nd Birthday on Saturday!  It was an extra-special one, as she made a trip up to San Francisco so that my sister Lindsey and I could enjoy a mother-daughter-sister weekend away!  Mimi came a day early so that she could play and visit with Amelia and Audrey and catch up with Brad.

Before we headed to the city, Mimi was able to see both girls' classrooms, and take in a Menlo School football game while Brad was coaching.

Audrey pushing her way through all the football players to help her self to a CUPCAKE!

Mimi showed me how to use my sewing machine!  late at night and after a few glasses of wine!

She was able to see audrey at her finest during WPNS toddler class on Friday morning.

Indian Summer

Although I've already decorated for Halloween and Fall, we are in the midst of an Indian Summer!  

Which means enjoying afternoon goodies at Brady Kearns' 3rd Birthday Party!  (We're looking forward to meeting his new baby brother Ryan!)

Impromptu Birthday celebration for Uncle Sott at the Dutch Goose - good friends and good times!

 gotta love the outtakes....

watching football!

playdates with friends....

combining football and the goose!

playing in ellie and papa's backyard while they are on a cruise!

practicing a little tee ball

Taking the Caddie for a Joy Ride.  they look like trouble!

Vegas driving us home...

Attending a Fashion Show Fundraiser for My New Red Shoes. 

Here's my Home Tour Co-Chair Heather with her adorable daughter Ryland.

Mother and daughter.

take two.

Posing at the Fashion Show with the OLD NAVY child mannequins.  super excited.

tailgating with push up pops.

audrey sharing a bite..

Pinkalicious Power!

This year Amelia is old enough to play AYSO soccer - she is on a team of all girls around 5 years old.  The jerseys are hot pink and a sister of one of the teammates helped the 5 year olds pick the team name - "Pinkalicious Power!"   She has the full getup - shingards (she has fit into the same size for the last 3 years!), cleats, soccer socks, pink ball and full uniform.  So very official.

Ironically they dont' even play an official game!  In lieu of practice during the week, they have a one hour block on saturdays where they spend the first half hour doing drills and practicing, then the second half hour is spent scrimmaging against their own team.  It works out great, but the girls are clearly just learning how to play a game with just one ball!

School Days!

It is that time of year again!  I love this time of year, but it is incredibly busy!  Both Amelia and Audrey are in a preschool program this fall:  

Amelia is in the Young Five's "Explorers" at New Beginnings Preschool at First Baptist Church.  This year, Conor Klas and Jackson Parker (two of her friends back from WPNS days) are in her class, as well as several kids of moms that I've meet through Junior League.

Amelia's annual first day of school picture on our front door (Vegas included):

Amelia in front of her school door - she is in Miss Kayla's class this year.  Note the excitement!  She should be- Amelia's teach is pretty awesome.  

Audrey is in the Friday Toddler Class at Woodside Parents Nursery School.  It is a co-op so I go with her during the entire class.  Her teacher is Miss Karen.  We have some old friends in the class as well which always makes it more fun!

Audrey was not amenable to a formal picture...

Here she is checking out the fish (insert fish sound here) at the water fountain

This is as close as I got to a formal first day photo

Super excited to get dirty!

Newfound love for play-doh!

Loves trucks!  Especially ones that rock!

On her second week of school, they had finger paint out for the toddlers.  Audrey was the only one interested in it enough to paint - she first painted the paper, then her hands, then her face... saying "pretty" as she spread it around her face.  Audrey cleared the table of the kids - I think they were scared of her and the parents were looking at me like i was crazy!  hey - they are supposed to do that stuff here!  not at home  :)

August: Come and (almost!) Gone

August what happened to you?  Summer happens in a flash... here's what we've been up to!

Impromptu gatherings with old friends:

Gina, Sophia and Henry Shoemaker

Alex, Brady and Baby to be Kearns

Amelia, Audrey and Michelle 

Climbing tables at Menlo CC Friday night dinners

This is Amelia before her signature chocolate sundae

with Ellie and Papa

Amelia Checking out the Bubble Bath Car at Menlo's Connoisseur Marketplace

And of course a pink ice cream cone to go with her party dress

Baby Audrey being silly in her jammies with Vegas...

Spontaneous dinner with Aunt Kelly at Milagros/ DT RWC Jazz Festival

Peek a boo Audrey

Night Night Audrey

Day at SF Crissy Field with the "Whole Family" (aka Vegas comes too!)

Audrey wearing Sissy's swim cap

Amelia and best bud Conor playing impromptu soccer.  Getting ready for AYSO this fall!

Keeping warm on the cement at Menlo Pool

Bringing home art projects at "under the sea" summer camp (I have a whole underwater forest of friends at home!)

Playdates with girlie friends

Enjoying the bounty of our garden. Amelia actually loves tomatoes and basil and mint.  (we actually grow mint for aunt kelly's mojitos!)

Checking off "making our first apple pie" from Amelia's bucket list.  Surprisingly, it actually turned out pretty good!  Thanks to a combination of the Pioneer Woman's Pastry Crust, and The Barefoot Contessa's apple filling and crisp topping recipes!

Daughters wearing their momma's vintage dresses.  Thanks for saving these Mimi!

Sweet Audrey

A little voluntarism with the Junior League - Junior Giants Day....

Teaching Kiddos how to make healthy snacks.  Fruit and Granola Parfait.

Learning the Art of Make Up Application - no adult supervision requested.

Lots of veggies and fruit with smoothies.

Girls attending their first horse show - menlo charity horse show at the Circus Club.

Tiring the girls out at Bumble

Strolling through downtown Menlo Park - stopping for a treat at Susie Cakes.

Oh and getting tan in Hawaii!  Pictures coming soon....